The helicopter operator HNZ is aiming to double its revenue by 2012, as it develops its operations in the booming oil and gas sector in Western Australia.
The Alan Hubbard-owned firm is part of his Southbury Group, which along with South Canterbury Finance and apple producer Scales Group is expected to be floated on the stock market early next year.
HNZ's revenue topped $96 million this year, boosted by contracts with Woodside to ferry people to oil rigs and pipe-laying ships on the North West Shelf, near Perth.
Chief executive Brian McDonald says HNZ expects to double its revenue to $200 million over the next couple of years by winning further energy contracts in Australia, notwithstanding the constraints of expensive helicopters and a lack of skilled workers.
Mr McDonald says he doesn't know if a share float of the Southbury Group will get HNZ money for its expansion plans.
Founded in 1955, HNZ operates mainly in supplying the offshore oil and gas industry on both sides of the Tasman, as well as firefighting and Antarctica services.
